A man from China has admitted guilt in a US district court for attempting to export approximately 850 protected eastern box turtles and three-toed box turtles disguised as toys to Hong Kong, according to the US Department of Justice. Wei Qiang Lin shipped the turtles wrapped in socks across more than 200 parcels from August 2023 to November 2024. The boxes were misleadingly marked as containing “plastic animal toys,” authorities reported.
These turtles, known for their distinct shell markings, are considered status symbols in China and are highly sought after by pet enthusiasts. U.S. officials estimated the total market value of the seized turtles at around $1.4 million (£1 million). Lin was apprehended when the turtles were discovered during a border inspection.
The eastern box turtle is designated as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which prohibits unauthorized trade without necessary permits. Lin's case is part of a larger trend, as he joins another Chinese national sentenced to 30 months in prison for smuggling over 2,000 eastern box turtles in a similar manner earlier this year.
Apart from turtles, Lin was also found guilty of exporting 11 other parcels containing various reptiles, including venomous snakes. He is scheduled for sentencing on December 23, where he faces a maximum of five years in prison for his actions.
